Domestic copyright protections are very important. They protect creative professionals and businesses from other parties monetizing or otherwise devaluing original works. The United States Copyright Office maintains a record of copyrighted works that can benefit those who must enforce their right to control and monetize an original creation.
Businesses and creative professionals can take copyright infringement cases to the civil courts if another party monetizes their work or distributes it without prior authorization. Sometimes, the party infringing on a copyrighted work is not a domestic organization. For example, an artist might find their original work of digital art advertised as a t-shirt on social media. It may be an offshore company printing orders on demand using stolen art.
How can creatives and businesses enforce international copyright matters?
Jurisdiction determines the options available
It has never been easier for companies in countries with lax copyright enforcement to find potentially valuable intellectual property that belongs to domestic creative professionals and businesses. They can potentially pull content from social media sites run from companies or creatives. When they do misuse copyrighted works, the copyright holder can potentially take legal action.
There are various international copyright laws and treaties that help extend protection to businesses and creative professionals. The country where the infringing party operates can influence the right process to take to enforce copyright protections from international violations. Frequently, the process involves litigation. However, litigation can be much more complex in scenarios with parties in vastly different jurisdictions. The process can take months, if not years, to resolve.
Documentation is key to successful copyright enforcement
Maintaining exclusive control over creative works requires regular monitoring for signs of infringement online. International companies misappropriating the creative works of others often very quickly delete evidence of infringing scheme to move on to the next.
It is, therefore, crucial to documents infringement as it occurs and to work with professionals to investigate such matters as quickly as possible. The identification of the companies or individuals involved in such schemes is key to the success of any international copyright enforcement efforts.
Those dealing with lost sales or brand damage related to copyright infringement may need assistance learning about applicable laws and finding ways to hold an infringing party accountable. Securing legal assistance can make all the difference for those with valuable intellectual property.